Best Travel Rewards Cards

If you...want a straightforward, high-yield program: Go with the Capital One Venture Rewardscard. “You get two points for every dollar spent,” says Harzog. It’s easy to rack up miles for a free airline ticket or hotel room. And unlike many cards, you won’t be charged a foreign transaction fee when plans take you overseas.

Note, too, that the $59 annual fee is waived your first year, and if you spend $1,000 in your first three months, you get a bonus 10,000 points.

If you...love to travel and eat out: Pick the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. You’ll get two points for each dollar spent on travel and dining, one point for everything else—plus some juicy perks: a whopping40,000 bonus points if you spend $3,000 in your first three months (and more). There’s no foreign transaction charge—and you net a 7% bonus for each year’s spending.

If you...are loyal to one airline: Sign up for your favorite airline’s credit card. Really. Many offer perks in addition miles, like free checked bags (for everyone on your itinerary!), priority seating, and a bonus when you first open the card—often enough for a free flight right away.

Out of the Box The little-known PenFed Platinum Cash Rewards Visaoffers a 5% rebate on gas—and that award is applied directly to your monthly balance (no need to keep track of points). Vrrroom!